San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-21
The MiIIer's Daughter.

world. IL Is then, when gong TO COM
fort her, that Mrs. Gerard hears the
story of those few summer weeks when
Wynyard was staying at the Court.
The girl tells it very quietly, without
sob or moan, with her fair head rest
ing against Mrs. Gerard's breast, and
her hand clasped in hers.
Shortly after this, when the miller's
old desk is opened, packet of papers
directed to Clytie is found to contain
the story of the mother she can but
family remember. She was lady
the daughter of man of good position.
A step-mother's dislike and a careless
fathers indifference as to how she was
treated drove her from her home and
into marrying John Ashton. He was
stalwart young miller then, perfect
specimen of the fine old English yOe-
man, and he loved her with all his hon.
est faithful heart.
Mrs. Gerard is delighted with this
little romance when Clytie puts the
papers into her hand, and firm friend
ship springs up between the wife of
the Squire and the miller's daughter.
Nearly four years pass, and then one
day there comes to the quiet old Court
news of the death of Vineyards wife
and of his decision to go abroad for a
time, with request that they will take
charge of his little son during his abb
sence.
This request is readily granted, and
little Lionel Wynyard Gerard, aged
two years, comes to the old Court. The
little fellow has Vineyards own dark
Southern eyes and regular clear-cut
features, together with the rosy tints
of childhood.
He is not very long at the Court be-
fore Mrs. Gerard has the following con-
versation with the Squire.
Ralph, L have little plan in my
head. / expect that in the end Wynn
yard will leave Lionel with us. He
will not care to keep up that great
house in town now that there is only
himself; and, if he goes abroad often,
as he is pretty sure to dO-you know he
was always rather restless-Lionel,
while he is young, will be rather u trou-
BILE than otherwise. Well, what was
going to say is this. In year or two
the child will be old enough to learn to
read. Now, Ralph, suppOsing | were
to engage Clytie Ashton as his COVER
ness, she would be quite competent for
some years to cOme-to teach him, in
fact, until he is old enough to be sent
to school,"
But surely" exclaims the Squire,
you are not going to begin to educate
child only two years oldp
Now, Ralph, how foolishl OF course
not!" answers his wife. Il said in
year or two; and in the meantime l
should keep Clytie as my companion.
l have often thought should like to
have a companions; it is very dull for
me when you are away whole days
shooting and hunting. She could help
me with my correspondence and fancy
work, and plenty of things. What do
you think about it%
And it comes to pass that a few
weeks later Clytie goes to live. at the
Court as Mrs. Gerard's companion.
When the summer comes round
again it brings with it the daily expec-
tation of Vineyards arrival at the
Court; and late one sunny afternoon
the dog-cart and Ralph Gerard are
starting to fetch him from the station.
Il will take the boy with me-" says
Ralph, coming to his wife and Clytie,
who are at tea under the trees on the
lawn.
Lionel, who is playing on the grass
az their feet, looks up at the Squire's
words, and runs to him, lisping, yes,
being perfectly well aware that uncle
Ralph-as he has been taught to call
him-and the dog-cart are going to
fetch his father.
Indeed you will do no such thingl"
exclaims Mrs. Gerard hastily. Ralph,
how can you think of it, when you
know you must drive through the viii
lage to the town, and the fever is posi-
lively raging there just nowp | would
not have Lionel go within mile of it'll"
"Ah, forgot the fever! What
nuisancel" says the Squire; and he
hurries away.
An hour later Mrs. Gerard and Clytie
are pacing up and down under the
trees, waiting. There Is a sound of
wheels in the distance, coming every
second nearer; then footsteps draw
near, and two mems voices are heard,
one Of which sets Clytie's heart beat
ing as she told herself it never would
again. The two men come within
sight.